Citadel Of Faith
Covenant
Church
January 4, 2017
As we have turned to chapter twelve, we see great happenings occurring in heaven. After the woman
has been hidden we notice in verse seven of chapter twelve, “a war breaks out in heaven.” The
archangel, Michael is mentioned as the one leading the heavenly army in this great battle with the
dragon (Satan) and his angels. Michael is not new in his presence in scripture. We see reference to
him in Daniel chapter ten starting at verse five. (Read Dan. 10:5-21). It is so important to note that
the unseen beings of the realm or world of the spirit although not common to us are not uncommon
with God nor His people. Indeed the are a part of the invisible world which is all around us.
(Hebrews 11:3) Let’s look at two angles of the following verses in Revelation chapter twelve. First
of all, we have to note that there are two timelines we see in Revelation. One that is speaking
specifically to the time that the church is raptured and the Great Tribulation befalls the earth and
human race. Also, the arc of human history, where we see the actions of God being played out over
several eras of the church’s history (i.e. the letters to the churches..some specific most general to the
church at large. We can note that some of the imagery of Satan being cast out of heaven by Michael
and His archangels seem reminiscent of Isaiah 14:12-15 (read). Isaiah tells us of how Satan’s initial
rebellion cost him being a part of God’s heavenly kingdom. The reason we know that this account of
his being cast down from heaven is not the same is because Satan is no longer permitted to ever enter
into the realm of heaven again. Unlike after the fall in Isaiah, we see many examples (Job 1:7, I Peter
5:8). Satan after this fight with Michael is cast down forever. We also know that this is a reference
to what will happen in the future because of verse 10. The accuser has been cast down and will no
longer be able to accuse the brethren to God anymore! There are always wider and deeper principles
that the Word of God and our heavenly Father would like for us to know. Although we want to have
ideas of specifics as it relates to end times, we also want to be mindful of the fact that in the current
reality, the devil is accusing us before the Father and he is the prince of the power of the air. (Ephes.
2:2). Since we are in the midst of one who stands night and day and makes accusation about our
worthiness and value to God and the kingdom, we must be mindful of the ways in which we can both
fight and overcome!
Ephesians 6:10-17 (read). We have been given specific things we can do to ensure that the war
against us is not going to prevail. Rev. 12:10 make the joyous statement that salvation has finally come
to the heavenly realm. The victory over this beast has come by two means..the blood of the lamb and
the word of the saints testimony. This verse goes on to say that not even death could stand in the way
of these believers staying true to their profession of their faith. Indeed it is the blood of the lamb AND
the blood of the martyrs that have silenced Satan’s voice in the heavenly realm. Although heaven gets
to rejoice, the earth is put on notice (vs. 12b). Woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone
down to that realm with fury. The reason the tribulation will be ramped up is because he will know
that his time before eternal judgment is short. Vs. 13 speaks of the dragons pursuit of the woman who
gave birth to the male child....Satan’s pursuit of the Jewish people. Yet verse fourteen mentions the
strength of God which keeps him from the reach of God’s people. All of the dragons tactics to stop
the life of this woman and child were thwarted and every turn. Vs. 17 mentions how the dragon was so
enraged that he turned his attention not just towards the woman, but to her offspring. Who might that
be? Verse 17b tells us...those who keep God’s commands and hold fast to their testimony about Jesus.
This will be all those Gentiles and repentant Jews who will choose Jesus and stay true to their
confession of faith in the midst of unparalleled persecution. This chapter let’s us know that there is a
real battle that is going on in the realm of the unseen. It’s up to us to know what the weapons of our
warfare are (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). You’re not a victim, but a victor. Use what you’ve been given and
see the enemy be held back by God’s mighty power.
Questions to Consider
1. What two ways does revelation communication with its reader as it relates to the time frames
of the occurrences?
2. What does our knowledge about Satan’s access to the heavenly realm do to our response when
we feel unworthy?
3. How does what happened in Daniel with Michael give us perspective about our some of our
unanswered prayers?
4. How can we fight the unseen?